“What a magnificent prospect we have, Croft!” exclaimed Falcon.
“It is that, sir, for we are ‘monarchs of all we survey;’ at least, we shall be so eventually, I hope.”
“How so, Eben? I shorten your Christian name of Ebenezer for prudential reasons.”
“I tumble to that, without objecting. What I mean, Mr Falcon, is this, You wish, if not entirely, to remove, at anyrate, to disable the amateur skyscraper yonder, as well as his balloon and his assistant.”
“Just so, but who would have thought, Eben, that a man playing the menial rôle you do would rise above the level of gaol-birds, and talk as you can when you like!”
“You needn’t taunt me with that; you know I was well brought up, and but for our adventures—”
“Hold on! I thought I heard footsteps. Take a look round, Eben, while I pose as an artist taking sketches, from a lofty standpoint, of the aeronautic scene.”
“What you say is all very fine, Mr F., but time is money. Let us come to the point.”
“Very well then, here goes. On our left is the balloon, looking as if it could be easily destroyed. An idea flashes upon my mind that I can manage that much at the descent, Eben.”
“Exactly; if you can manage to be there, Mr F.”